Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia
https://actalb.org/article/doi/10.1590/S2179-975X4825
Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia
Original Article

El Niño and La Niña events shape distinct phytoplankton dynamics in a subtropical shallow lake

Eventos de El Niño e La Niña moldam de forma distinta a estrutura e dinâmica do fitoplâncton em um lago raso subtropical

Andressa da Rosa Wieliczko; Luciane Oliveira Crossetti; David da Motta-Marques; Lúcia Ribeiro Rodrigues

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S2179-975X4825 Acta Limnol. Bras. (Online), vol.38, e12, 2026
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Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on the structure and dynamics of the phytoplankton community of an extensive subtropical shallow lake in southern Brasil (Lagoa Mangueira, RS).

Methods: Phytoplankton and environmental variables were collected twice per year at three different sites in the pelagic region of the lake, between 2001 and 2013, totaling 6 samples per year. Meteorological variables such as rainfall, radiation, wind speed and direction, as well as limnological variables such as total phosphorus, total nitrogen, dissolved total nitrogen, among others, were also used to compose the analyses. To assess the phytoplankton community’s response to environmental variability during El Niño and La Niña periods, and the regular year, we analyzed the species richness, diversity, evenness, dominance, species composition, and biomass. The correlation among meteorological and limnological data was verified using a Principal Component Analysis (PCA). To verify the relationship between the descriptor species and the environmental data, a Redundancy Analysis (RDA) was performed.

Results: We identified 188 taxa distributed in 9 classes, of which Chlorophyceae, Cyanobacteria and Bacillariophyceae were the most representative. Among the analyzed groups, Cyanobacteria and Raphidophyceae showed significant variations between ENSO periods. The results showed statistically different environmental scenarios between ENSO periods, mainly with regard to total suspended solids, reactive soluble silica, total phosphorus, total nitrogen, total dissolved nitrogen, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, ammonia and wind speed. Phytoplanktonic biomass was significantly higher in La Niña years. No differences were observed in richness, dominance, diversity and evenness between the periods studied. However the descriptor species reflected the environmental differences of each observed scenario.

Conclusions: The study demonstrated the occurrence of different ecological species grouping of phytoplanktonic species in the El Niño and La Niña periods, associated with the different environmental scenarios of each ENSO event.

Keywords

cyanobacteria; monitoring; ENSO; oligotrophic; extreme climatic events

Resumo

Objetivo: Este estudo objetivou avaliar os efeitos do El Niño Oscilação Sul (ENOS) na estrutura e dinâmica da comunidade fitoplanctônica de uma extensa lagoa rasa subtropical no sul do Brasil (Lagoa Mangueira, RS).

Métodos: O fitoplâncton e as variáveis ambientais foram coletadas duas vezes ao ano na região pelágica da lagoa, entre 2001 e 2013. As variáveis meteorológicas como precipitação, radiação, velocidade e direção do vento também foram utilizadas para compor as análises. A riqueza, diversidade, equitabilidade, dominância, espécies descritoras e a biomassa da comunidade fitoplanctônica foram utilizadas como resposta à variabilidade ambiental dos períodos de El Niño, La Niña e ano regular. A Análise de Componentes Principais (ACP) foi realizada para avaliar as tendências das variáveis meteorológicas e limnológicas. Para verificar a relação entre as espécies descritoras e os dados ambientais foi realizada uma Análise de Redundância (RDA).

Resultados: Identificamos 188 táxons distribuídos em 9 classes, dos quais Chlorophyceae, Cyanobacteria e Bacillariophyceae foram os mais representativos. As análises evidenciaram cenários ambientais diferentes estatisticamente entre os períodos de ENOS, principalmente no que se refere aos sólidos suspensos totais, sílica solúvel reativa, fósforo total, nitrogênio total, nitrogênio dissolvido total, condutividade, oxigênio dissolvido, alcalinidade, amônia e velocidade do vento. A biomassa fitoplanctônica foi significativamente maior em períodos de La Niña. Não foram observadas diferenças na riqueza, dominância, diversidade e equitabilidade ente os períodos estudados. No entanto, as espécies descritoras refletiram as diferenças ambientais de cada cenário observado.

Conclusões: O estudo demonstrou a ocorrência de diferentes grupos de espécies fitoplanctônicas nos períodos El Niño e La Niña, associadas aos diferentes cenários ambientais de cada evento ENOS.

Palavras-chave

cianobactérias; monitoramento; ENOS; oligotrófico; eventos climáticos extremos

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Submitted date:
14/06/2025

Accepted date:
22/04/2026

Publication date:
03/07/2026

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